EU Urges US to Reconsider Denying Visas to Palestinian Officials
Summary
The European Union has urged the United States to reconsider denying visas to Palestinian officials ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York. The move affects Mahmoud Abbas and comes as tensions remain high over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and violence in the West Bank.
Key Points
- The European Union said it regrets Washington's second consecutive decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials for the UN General Assembly.
- EU diplomatic spokesperson Anouar El Anouar urged the United States to reconsider the decision under its obligations as host country to the UN.
- The US State Department said it opposes unilateral recognition efforts and criticized the Palestinian Authority's payments and related messaging.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concern about the impact on the State of Palestine's participation in UN work.
